CURRENT MISSION

My current mission is to live my life to its fullest while travelling ,sharing and learning about the cultures of the world and to leave this life knowing I have left it a better place in some small way.

ABOUT ME

I am an avid traveller with a passion for seeing the world through the eyes of the people I meet, both local and fellow travellers. Although I love to take photographs, my main goal wherever I go is to get a feel and appreciation for the real way of life in the places I visit. My extensive travel experiences have enriched my life so much and have taught me tolerance and empathy for people from so many other cultures and given me so much joy in the process. I now have an even bigger, more amazing family of friends all over the world. Thank you,Couchsurfing!

PHILOSOPHY

My personal philosophy is to live life each and every day in such a way that I know I have made a positive difference! To be an inspiration to those with whom I cross paths. To learn something positive from every challenge. To laugh a lot- especially at myself!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Met up with several couchsurfers in Russia,Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania , both hosts and guests while on a big adventure in 2008. Such a wonderful group of people! I was constantly amazed by the incredible hospitality and friendship offered to me by total strangers! Since then I've either been travelling or moving around house-sitting, so haven't had a place of my own in order to host. I will definitely be reciprocating when I finally settle somewhere! I do meet up with people, show them around or find out/give local info, pick ups/drop offs at airports etc when I am back home on the Gold Coast. I also highly recommend CSing to anyone who will listen!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Firstly, indirect experiences only with a number of people I met on my trip in Russia, Estonia and an online travel buddy in 2008. I met a couchsurfer in Mongolia and linked up with him from time to time all across Russia. During this time I was introduced to a number of his couchsurfing hosts and their friends. These people really made my trip in Russia something special. Also, all of them encouraged me to join. I then linked up with a number of great people in Estonia (Tallinn, Kuressaare,Tartu), Latvia (Riga) and Lithuania (Vilnius). I love to have a local's perspective of the places where I visit and not simply do the "tourist thing". Couchsurfing seems to "fit the bill" to a T!

Interests

Interested in travelling, meeting people and sharing ideas, food, music and laughs. Love to be exposed to new situations that allow me to "stretch" myself and learn more about life, the universe and everything!

• dining
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

I have a very broad range of interests in movies, books and music.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

So many to choose from----- but I believe teaching English in China for 2.5yrs , although perhaps not amazing to many, was one of the most incredibly humbling, exciting, enjoyable and life-changing experiences of my life. It afforded me a myriad of opportunities to see life in this emerging giant of a country at a very exciting time in its history. It opened my mind to so many possibilities, and of course, amazing travel experiences! One of my most recent adventures was 10 months in South America- fulfilling a 40year dream to visit there. Although I travelled for a total of 14mths- these 10 months were the most special of my life. All the usual places (Trekking in Patagonia, Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, Rio de Janiero & Galapagos Islands) and so many more places that I learned about along the way.
Just spectacular! I will be back!!!!!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can learn from virtually everyone I meet! At least I try to!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Ideas, stories, no special skills, unfortunately! Oh, and of course some good laughs!

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, China, United Kingdom

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